Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.

Background and outcome of elections:

Following the October 1984 general elections, Prime Minister Sir Peter Kenilorea, at the head of the ruling coalition (comprising the Solomon Islands United Party (SIUPA), the Solomons Ano Sagufenua and independents), survived two no-confidence motions (in September 1985 and July 1986) by the opposition before eventually resigning in November 1986 in the midst of a controversy relating to aid for cyclone damage. The next month, Deputy Prime Minister Ezekiel Alebua was chosen by the National Parliament as his successor.

In the 1989 poll, 257 candidates (including three women) contested the 38 parliamentary seats. The main opposition People's Alliance Party (PAP), led by Mr. Solomon Mamaloni, emerged as the overall victor with 21 seats as SIUPA fell to a total of four. In this context, Mr. Mamaloni became Prime Minister the following month.